Fans sit on the balcony of Neyland Stadium during the Tennessee Volunteers vs Indiana State Sycamores game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel

A Tennessee cheerleader chants during the Vol Walk during the Tennessee Volunteers vs Indiana State Sycamores game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel

The University of Tennessee football team takes the field as the Pride of the Southland marching band performs a pregame show and fans checker Neyland Stadium orange and white for the Florida game on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Michael Patrick / News Sentinel

Mike Barrett and his son Frank Barrett hang out in the bed of their truck during the Tennessee Volunteers vs Indiana State Sycamores game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel

A UT cheerleader pumps up the crowd during the Vol Walk during the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Bulldogs game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel

A Tennessee cheerleaders pumps up fans during the Vol Walk during the Tennessee Volunteers vs South Carolina Gamecocks game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel

Change has come to Grundy County, and it's much more significant than simply naming a new coach.

The school announced Friday the hiring of former Tennessee linebacker Tracy Hayworth as its football coach. Hayworth, who played at nearby Franklin County High and was drafted by the Detroit Lions, is the first black coach in any sport in Grundy County school history.

"This is a historical hire. It's a very positive thing for our school, our program and our kids," said Leon Woodlee, who is entering his first year as the school's athletic director. "I've already had several parents call me and say this is the best thing that's happened on the mountain in a long time. I had three daddies come up to me this morning to shake my hand and thank me for making this hire, because we're changing the culture up here."